Mahmood Mamdani on Zohran’s rise, colonialism, and US political change

In a December 6, 2025 interview on UpFront, scholar Mahmood Mamdani discusses the lasting impact of colonialism on global politics, particularly in Uganda. He examines this in his new book, "Slow Poison: Idi Amin, Yoweri Museveni, and the Making of the Ugandan State," which explores how colonial rule shaped Uganda's political institutions and leaders. Mamdani also reflects on political changes in the United States, specifically the potential election of his son, Zohran Mamdani, as the first Muslim mayor of New York City. He views this as a sign of significant generational shifts in US politics. The interview explores these colonial legacies, the rise of multipolarity, and their implications for global politics.